Shopping for antiques in Çukucuma

Posted on 9 January 2015

A very authentic neighborhood to shop for antiques is Çukucuma. Old furniture and other outdated stuff from elderly people who leave their houses in the neighboring districts of Cihangir and Beyoğlu is here to be found.

A quiet hood with lots of conservative and pious migrants from villages and little towns of Anatolia.

According to legend the name Çukucuma – which means “Lower Friday” – was given to the hood after Sultan Mehmet II (the Conqueror) came to pray here on a Friday before the final assault on the Christian city of Constantinople.

The last couple of years Çukucuma design and furniture shops have opened their business there and modern galleries as well. It gives this area a special feel.

A completely different world than the modern and touristic shopping avenue Istiklal Caddesi just up the hill.

Oh, Istanbul I really want to visit that historical place. Think that this year I’ll get a chance. I’m curious what the odds that I’ll find there a good old hookah. I heard that even the newest Euro or US hookah would be worse than good old Turkish hookah. So, I’m really want to find one now.